Wowowow, what a Lovelight! I must must must start here. This Lovelight has everything--including one of the best Pigpen raps I've ever heard/remember hearing--- not to mention an excellent Jerry mid-song solo section, and the only time I've heard Pig try to pawn the mic off on Bobby (which he hilariously attempts to refuse). I legit was pissed off how the song/set ended early... I heard some static on the recording, which I assumed to be a technical glitch on my end, and then Lovelight just... ends. Goodnight folks, no encore.

I haven't read the comments yet... did someone "pull the plug" on the Dead this night? Either way, this was maybe the first 20+ minute Lovelight I ever felt was TOO SHORT! Pigpen really bared his soul on this night, and during the peak moment of his confessioal/rap the band just completely stops playing. This is a heartwarming moment, in every sense. (Credit to Tom Constanten for coming in with an organ lick during a moment of pregnant pathos.)

On a second tier, some other highlights (for me) include the premature jam of China Cat Sunflower, the Good Lovin,and Hard to Handle. Special mention the transition of St Stephen > Lovelight.

Regarding China Cat, the boys-minus-Jerry hear the D chord in the solo section of China as the transition to I Know You Rider (also in the key of D major). It was super interesting to hear this, because Phil/Bobby/Drummers are start the groove (or a transition jam) into Rider, when in reality Jerry is still playing China Cat.... and still has another verse to sing. It makes me smile to imagine the expression on his face, like, 'Dudes, I still have the last verse to sing...'

^ This is interesting to me especially because it shows the thoughfulness of the transition into Rider, which apparently was still in its early performances, that they would be hyper-conscious about it and actually jump the gun here. In non-musical terminology, Jerry plays a China solo over the rest of the rhythm section trying to jam into I Know You Rider. That was prett cool. (PS--- the *actual* transition jam is resultantly luxurious and satisfying, when everybody finally is on the same page =)

Good Lovin' is a super tight version, and is similar to this version Hard to Handle, because they are both as good as or better than anything you would hear from the Dead of the 1980s or 1990s.

Just my opinion, of course.

Fantastic soundboard, very good Dead show... and a SUPERB Pigpen show. Five stars, no hesitation.

The Poster For This Show Denotes The Grateful Dead,Country Joe & The Fish And The Flying Burrito Brothers. Thus Explaining Somewhat The Length Of The Show. This Should Go A Long Ways In Discounting The Negative Reviews. The Clarity Of The Recording Is Remarlable For '69.While The Quality Of The Band's Playing Though Loose. Is Far From Sloppy. Jerry's Singing Is Heartfelt And Unique. And Then Of Course There Is Pig Pen. Fantastic ! Cheers To Bear For His Magical Ear. ENJOY !

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69, dont miss it !
the JAM in china rider is for the BOOKS !!!
@ 420 the vista cruzer flies into Rider with a monumental JAMM!!! the Lightnin Bolt in a bottle !!!
the kind of stuff that makes the Dead Critical to Humanity, black peter is tops also, the cumberland in the 2nd set is very different, high time is sublime, gracious, great Bass lines in all esp china cat, esp the way it was recorded.

=

It was a busy week, what with Altamont, Black Queen down in L.A. and writing NSB for the premiere at Fillmore the following week. Warming up in that California sun, before heading east to SMU & Hollywood FL, then up to Beantown to end the year/decade ! Lightning pace, furious !!

I love to read the Archives comments, because I never knew Bobby announced at more than one show that month Bill the drummer was late, and they had to play acoustic.[my fav. SMU 12/69 Masters Bouquet] So they gave the impression that they were almost 'forced' to play unplugged, eh? Hmmm, coincidence? I liken it to the exact opposite of Dylan's famous going electric reaction. Some Dead purists at the time may not have welcomed an all acoustic set, so it's a great way to float the idea. Brilliant ! :)

Some others have called this show 'as lackluster as San Bernadino'. I disagree, but do give this 4 stars for not being the complete '69 Swing show {appears a drop in Peter, incomplete setlist, etc.} In 1969 the boys were playing some 3 hour marathons, hard to get it all on tape, so I forgive them ;) Other than that, sweet harmonies in Mama, a big bouncy China/Rider, nice High Time, jammy Lovin', warm fuzzy Stephen, and furious Lovelight !!

Creative, light and brilliant ! 4****

Thank you to everyone involved, and BIG thanks to Archive as always for preserving!! Could you imagine in 1969 telling someone that one day on their tv they could search any date imaginable, and listen, for free ?

"I think Bobby busted something. Got his fingers on the knobs, and his mind in a bucket"

This was from the end of the period, 67-70 that I cared about the boys. It proves that, once upon a time, they could play like a band, with some energy, and confirms my opinion that when Pigpen died an essential element was lost. I'm not rating because I'm not up on other recordings to compare. Just offering my 2 cents.

GD 0*8^)~

A clear Grateful Dead show from 1969. What's not to like? 3 stars for length only. Good banter!
Peace, Bob

walked out of this show feelin' really good only to find someones had fed randy lawrence dog in the back of my volkswagen bus while stealing my tape player. this is a great recording from a great time.

Live Workingman's and AoxomoxoA? What could be wrong with that? Two things: the show is too short, and Black Peter is cut. What is here of the Black Peter is fabulous. Four stars.

whole show was 11 songs? that doesnt seem right unless it was a multi band concert.
69 stuff is fantastic

Jerry's guitar really smokes on Lovelight!
A Great Show!

This is a most enjoyable show. Pig Pen's rave in Lovelight has got some extra sauce. Don't let the low average deter you from listening.

Some reviewers, including the Compendium, would have you believe this show is lame. Not true. Though it isn't mindblowing by any means, it is IMO the best Black Peter and Cumberland Blues up to this date in '69. That, combined with good sound quality, make it an eminently listenable show.

Out of all the places in California, it's hard to find one more lackluster than San Bernadino, and this show seems to reflect that.

One of the lesser efforts of 1969.

I must have just listened to a different show. The show that I heard, in spite of some screw ups, was a smokin' good time. I had to read the compendium review and was shocked, they said it sucked. I had a thousand hours of dead on tape, and now have over a thousand cd's, and in my opinion, this show rocked as hard as any from the era. I think that the five star thing is way overused so i'm gonna give it a four, and another listen. Maybe i'm just in a good mood, but give this a listen, what could it hurt?

This is a hidden gem.Really!Since when has the greatful Dead been"tight and polished"Thats the beauty of this band.I was very surprised by the sound quality.I saw it was givin 2 for "sloppy playing."Had to see for myself.Its a 4 star.Nice quality and a very nice black Peter

Some amazingly sloppy playing by pretty much everybody. What a change from the night before!